Current Nursing Shortage Presents Unique Opportunities

Posted On June 16,2022

The nursing shortage is a real concern, but also a unique opportunity for new nurses to step into desirable roles that may have been challenging or even impossible to achieve with little to no experience before. 

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are no stranger to patient care, so it’s only logical that as the demand for registered nurses (RNs) increases around the country, many licensed practical nurses want to upgrade their skills to fill these positions, even if they haven’t been LPNs for very long.

Nurse monitoring a patient in a hospital room.

Higher Salary Potential

As an RN, you could earn a higher salary, and this reason alone is a big motivator for those considering LPN to RN bridge programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the average annual salary for an LPN was $48,070 in 2021, while the average annual salary for a RN was $77,600 in 2021. Wages may vary based on experience, location, and employer, but in terms of salary, RNs have a much higher earning potential than an LPN. 

Expanding Your Scope of Practice 

Scope of practice defines what duties a healthcare worker is qualified to perform. In general, LPNs provide basic medical care to patients while RNs provide a higher level of care. Bedside care is the primary scope of LPN duties, which may include feeding or bathing patients, monitoring vital signs, maintaining accurate health records, and applying or changing bandages. 

LPNs are more task oriented while RNs have a broader scope of practice with more responsibilities than an LPN. In some places they can even work independently, while LPNS must always perform their duties under the supervision of an RN or physician. 

Greater Career Opportunities in the Future 

Due to an aging population and greater access to healthcare, nursing jobs are projected to increase well into the future. Furthering your education to become a registered nurse will provide you with a greater number of career opportunities because of the higher level of training you’ll receive in the program. 

LPNs are more limited in their options while RNs can choose from specialty areas, like medical-surgery or critical care nursing. These specialties come with higher pay and a better shift schedule. The decision to become a registered nurse also gives you a chance to work in areas of healthcare that interest you. 

Find the Perfect LPN to RN Program 

If you’re an LPN looking to expand your horizons to become a registered nurse, now is a perfect time to get started. Athena Career Academy offers an excellent bridge program for LPNs to take the next step and become a registered nurse in just one year. Athena offers flexible class schedules to accommodate full-time working students, making it attainable for working students or those who have busy families to care for.

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Athena Career Academy’s LPN to RN bridge is a comprehensive program that includes: 

  • Classroom training 
  • Clinical practicum 
  • Books and materials 
  • Lab Fees and supplies 
  • Uniform 
  • Simulation lab training 

The LPN to RN Program at Athena Career Academy is an investment in your future you can’t afford to pass on. Contact us today for details about how to enroll. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain when you make the decision to advance your career. Your skills are desperately needed in the healthcare industry, so don’t delay! Call us today to schedule a campus tour.